Balancing Net Ionic Equation: MnO4- + HSO3- in Acidic Solution

[renob]

Homework Statement

Balance the net ionic equation:

Acidic: MnO4-(aq) + HSO3-(aq) =

The Attempt at a Solution

I honestly don't know where to start, and I can't find anything similar in the book. I just need a push in the right direction

 

[symbolipoint]

That appears to be either an oxidizing agent with a reducing agent; or maybe but not likely, a weak acid and the anion of another weak acid for some neutralization. What are you really hoping to try?

 

[renob]

It's redox. I just don't know how to find the products

 

[symbolipoint]

You could choose the best half-cell reactions by inspecting a table of redox potentials. I believe you only are concerned with the Mn part going to MnO or MnO₂. For the bisulfite, you'll need to choose from various half-reactions balancing each of them with the reactants which you were given and find which one or which ones give favorable redox potentials in the balanced equation. Also helpful would be to know what kind of conditions your reaction would be occurring.